Blogbit

Have you checked out the Big Fat Marketing Blog (www.bigfatmarketingblog.com) yet? Here's a recent post from MCM senior writer (and horse racing enthusiast) Jim Tierney.

FORMER TALBOTS CEO IS NOW HORSING AROUND

After leading the women's apparel company for 20 years, Arnold Zetcher retired as president/CEO of The Talbots in September 2007 and as chairman of the board in March 2008. So where can you find Zetcher these days? At the track.

No, he's not betting away his retirement funds. Zetcher, a lifelong horse-racing fan who began owning horses in 2000 with Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally, has entered the breeding industry as well. In fact, he's become one of the more notable owners/breeders in thoroughbred racing in a very short time.

The 69-year-old Zetcher was in attendance on Belmont Stakes Day in June and watched his 3-year-old filly, Gabby's Golden Gal, upset the field in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at odds of 13-1. The victory for Zetcher was extra special because Gabby's Golden Gal's mother, Gabriellina Giof, was the first horse ever to win a race for him.

More recently, Zetcher pulled off another major upset when his four-year-old colt, Richard's Kid, rallied to win the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar at odds of 24-1. With the victory, Richard's Kid has Zetcher and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert thinking Breeders' Cup.

We're guessing that Zetcher is having more fun with his horses than he would be at Talbots — especially these days.